Members of Congress have written to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) acting administrator Andrew Slavitt asking him to reconsider his agency’s proposal to reduce the rates Medicare will pay providers for outpatient services.
In July, CMS proposed reducing those outpatient rates 0.2 percent in calendar year 2016.
US Capitol DomeThe letter notes that

According to MedPAC, Medicare already pays hospitals less than 88 cents on the dollar for outpatient services and this rule will make that situation worse for our constituents – both hospitals and patients alike.

The letter also states that

Medicare already pays providers less than the cost of care. Prescribing a negative update to OPPS [note: outpatient prospective payment system] payment rates will only make it more difficult for hospitals to serve their patients and their communities, particularly as they move to adopt delivery system reforms.

To see the letter, including the names of the 95 Democrats and Republicans who signed it, go here.